Canada should really do a better job at providing statistics on public sector debt. The UK is not easy, but at least every month you can find up to date statistics on public sector debt. (though there are still disputes as to what should be counted as public sector debt)

You can find the info at the Finance Dept’s website under yearly Fiscal Reference Tables (FRTs) – note tables published from 2003 & later, provide data not directly comparable to data provided for years prior to FY83-84 due to the GoC’s change in accounting practices [to full accrual accounting]. The FRTs whose publication dates before 2003 are comparable to all years listed in the range. The FRTs provide data on all public sector debt (federal, provincial/territorial & municipal) – tables published up to & including 2001 provide federal data from FY46-47 to the year of publication, tables published after 2001, federal data is provided from FY61-62 to year of publication. Data for the provinces/territories & municipalities range in age from the early 60’s to early 90’s.

The “national” debt should include the provincial debts as well, because the provinces have collectively as much spending power as the federal government, are largely autonomous, and also hold almost as much debt.

Citing just the federal debt is a gross underestimation of Canada’s debt problems. It is the figure that the jingoistic media uses to make Canadians feel that we are better than Americans or Europeans, when in reality we are in the same boat. The 84% of GDP is probably closer to accuracy.

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